Tucked into a sheltered bay between Kaş and Demre, Kekova is one of the Turkish Mediterranean's most haunting sights. Off the island lies the Batık Şehir, or Sunken City, where the Lycian settlement of ancient Simena and Dolichiste slid below the waterline after earthquakes. Today its foundations, staircases and harbour walls glimmer through glassy turquoise water, best admired from a boat or sea kayak gliding quietly overhead.
A town swallowed by the sea
Long ago this protected coastline was home to thriving Lycian communities, including the settlements known as Simena and Dolichiste. A series of powerful earthquakes in antiquity dropped part of the shoreline below sea level, drowning houses, staircases, jetties and harbour walls. Centuries later they remain remarkably intact, preserved by the calm, sheltered bay. Peering down through the water you can trace doorways cut into rock and steps that once led from homes to the sea — an entire chapter of ancient life frozen just beneath the surface.
Gliding above the ruins
The Sunken City is experienced from the water rather than on foot. Wooden gulets and small boats drift slowly along Kekova island's northern shore, where guides point out submerged walls visible through the extraordinarily clear water. Sea-kayaking tours are especially magical, letting you paddle silently inches above the stonework and into quiet coves. Swimming directly over the ruins is restricted to protect this fragile archaeological site, so the best views come from looking down through the glassy shallows as you pass.
Kaleköy and Simena castle
The trip's highlight on land is Kaleköy, the pretty car-free village built over ancient Simena. Reached only by boat or footpath, its whitewashed houses and bougainvillaea-draped terraces climb the hillside to a small medieval castle. From the battlements you gain sweeping views over Kekova bay, and within the walls sits a tiny rock-cut theatre. Scattered around the village and rising straight from the water are weathered Lycian sarcophagi — carved stone tombs that give this shoreline its unmistakable, time-worn character.
Planning your visit
Most travellers reach Kekova on a boat tour departing from Kaş or the nearby village of Üçağız, a short drive along the coast. Bring swimwear for the designated swimming and snorkelling spots, plus sun protection, water and good footwear for the climb up to Simena castle. Tour lengths and seasonal hours vary, so check details before you go. Many boats include a swim stop in a bay away from the protected ruins, so you can still enjoy the gorgeous water.
Best time and what's nearby
Late spring through early autumn offers the warmest sea and the calmest conditions for boating and kayaking, while the shoulder seasons bring quieter water and softer light. Mornings are often clearest before afternoon breezes ripple the surface. Kekova pairs naturally with the lively harbour town of Kaş and with Demre, home to the ancient city of Myra and the Church of St Nicholas. Together they make an easy and rewarding day exploring this stretch of the Lycian coast.